National Anthem: Musicians, Lyrics & Group Participation Sing Along?

There are many people with trained singing voices who do a wonderful job on the national anthem. They may not be celebrities with recording contracts, but who cares? One fine example is Wayne Messmer, the PA announcer and oftentimes national anthem singer at Wrigley Field. But he's just one example of someone who sings it as it should be sung, with a beautiful stirring voice and all the correct words. The practice of hiring a celebrity-type to do the anthem should be stopped, in favor of someone who knows how to do it properly, in the style in which it was written.

Christina A. was a disgrace, and I cringed throughout her performance.

Some musical perspective on the Star Spangled Banner - not an opinion on this discussion.

Having been a band director for 28 years before retiring and a Bandsman in the First US Army Band, I have played and directed the National Anthem countless times.

The beginning is played Forte (loudly) and forcefully with leaps in the intervals while the words "Oh say can you see by the dawns early light" which is a pastoral phrase. The middle of the Star Spangled Banner is marked piano (softly) and is very legato (smooth) as you hear about the rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air. The words and meaning definitely do not match the musical style of the composition.

That's all from be. Go back to your discussion.

Larry from Las Vegas, NV

To those who live their lives making excuses for them selves and others - the National Anthem should be sung by someone who can sing it properly. Is that so difficult to understand? I am tired of others who make idiotic excuses for others who can't sing the song correctly. In my opinion, there are no excuses. Either sing the song correctly or get out of the way and let someone who respects our country sing the song as it should be sung.

That's because the music was written 50 years or so before the lyrics. It was originally a drinking song (which is ironic when you consider that it was officially made our national anthem during prohibition).

Anyway, count me as one who thinks that there are far, far better choices for an anthem than that. Why not go back to "My Country Tis of Thee"? "America the Beautiful" is good too.

The other question here is... why do we even sing the national anthem before non-Olympic sporting events in the first place? What is the military or political or patriotic significance of a bunch of highly-paid sweaty men in tight pants tossing a ball around?

- Jeff

"My Country 'Tis Of Thee" (actually it's called "America") was probably rejected as a national anthem because the tune is the same as "God Save the Queen."

I vote for America The Beautiful.

Much more stirring than either The Star-Spangled Banner or My Country 'Tis Of Thee

Well, to me, anyway.

Well I say let's cut Christina some slack. She's not the first and won't be the last to mess up a national anthem. Check out this link:

https://tinyurl.com/4m8l9hn

My choices for a new National Anthem would be:
1) Rhapsody in Blue (yes! No lyrics)
or if you want lyrics
2) Margaritaville

Why is it everytime a celebrity screws up a lot of people dig for excuses to excuse them. Poor Charlie Sheen, Poor Paris Hilton, Poor Lindsay Lohan, and now Poor Christina. Guess that what they mean when they say "THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT" WHY CAN THEY JUST NOT FACE THE FACTS SHE SCREWED UP AND LEAVE IT.

The Brooklyn Cyclones - single A minor league time in Brooklyn have offered CA an opportunity to try again